A protest march by group of Buganda Kingdom loyalists was broken up outside the Parliamentary Buildings yesterday afternoon.
The group of about 100 Buganda Kingdom loyalists had marched to Parliament to demonstrate against a new law that gives the central government the authority to appoint kingdom officials.
As they approached parliament, police threw tear gas into the crowd, sending the demonstrators scampering into offices and shops along the Parliamentary Avenue.
About 30 anti-riot police were stationed around the parliamentary grounds to prevent the group from approaching the Parliament.
The Deputy Regional Police Commander for Kampala, Gabriel Tibayungwa, said demonstration was halted because the Buganda Kingdom loyalists did not seek permission to hold a public protest. He said the police warned the group against the demonstration in the morning, but its advice was not heeded.
The group of loyalists marched from the Lubiri to present a memorandum containing their grievances to the Speaker of Parliament. They are specifically protesting a new law, which states that the Kingdom Prime Minister, the Katikkiro, will be appointed by the central government and not by the Buganda Kingdom parliament.
The Buganda Kingdom loyalists say the new law undermines the authority of the Kabaka of Buganda and violates the rights of the Baganda to choose their own leaders.
Most shops and offices along Parliament Avenue were closed for fear of further chaos.
